About Me

NOTE: My JFK-era blog does not seek to denigrate the modern Secret Service in any way, shape, or form, or even, ironically, the PRE-November 1963 protection of JFK, which was often outstanding. THIS blog focuses harsh criticism ONLY upon the events related to 11/22/63. THAT EVENT ASIDE, I AM A GREAT ADMIRER OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
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I am regarded as THE leading civilian authority on the United States Secret Service, especially with regard to the JFK/ LBJ years (I have interviewed and corresponded with over 80 former agents and family members, a world record! The Warren Commission: 12). I have appeared on the History Channel, C-SPAN, PA Cable Access, in the ARRB's Final Report, on radio, in newspapers, in over 80 other author's books, and all over the internet. I am the author of the book Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service & The Failure To Protect President Kennedy;
PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS A VERY NICE MAN AND, AS MANY AGENTS TOLD ME (IN WRITING AND ON TAPE), HE *NEVER* INTERFERED WITH THEIR ACTIONS! Contact Vince Palamara at vincebethel@yahoo.com

Dave Augustine 1974 baseball card

Dave Augustine 1973-1974

Paul Popovich 1975 baseball card

Paul Popovich 1974-1975

Dal Maxvill 1973-1974

Dal Maxvill 1973-1974 (1974 baseball card)

Dal Maxvill 1973-1974

Art Howe 1974-1975

Mike Ryan (PIRATES 1974)

Chuck Brinkman 1974 baseball card (PIRATES 1974)

Daryl Patterson 1971 Tigers (PIRATES 1974)

1974 minor leagues

1974 minor leagues

Jim Minshall 1973 (1974-1975)

Juan Jimenez 1974

Dave Pagan 1977

An original Seattle Mariner, Bucs traded Rick Honeycutt to the Mariners to get him. Pagan pitched in all of ONE game for the Pirates, in 1977. Potential plus, as Pagan threw harder than anyone around; comparisons to Nolan Ryan were bandied about. Trouble was, when Duffy Dyer put the mitt up for a target, Pagan just couldn't hit the thing with regularity. Neither could Ryan at first, but he improved just a bit; Pagan blew out his arm.

Dick Sharon

First round draft choice (9th overall) by the Pirates in 1968, Dick stayed in the Bucs' minor league system. Traded to the Tigers in 1972 for pitchers Jim Foor and Norm McRae.

Bob Oliver 1965

A Pirates farmhand, got a total of two at-bats with the parent club, in 1965. Bucs sent him to the Twins in 1967 to re-acquire Ronnie Kline. Oliver enjoyed four nice seasons for the Royals and Angels, 1970-73. Best season was 1970: 27 HR and 99 RBI for Kansas City.